by P. C. Cast
“Well, yes. You could later, and I’d be interested to hear those stories, too. But I wanted to ask something else of you. When a pup Chooses, doesn’t the whole Tribe rejoice?”
Wilkes blinked in understanding. “We do, indeed. And our new Shepherd Companion should know that rejoicing. Mari, would you help me to my feet?”
“Of course!”
Mari helped Wilkes to stand as Danita gave Claudia a hand. Then, moving slowly and carefully, the four of them, with their Companions, Odin and Mariah, by their sides, made their way to the crackling bonfire.
When they got there, Mari raised her hand, silencing the chattering Pack and calling everyone’s attention. Nik and Laru joined them and Rigel trotted to Mari’s side.
“Jaxom, would you come here, please?” Mari called.
Jaxom stepped out of the shadows by the boats, where he’d been double-checking their moorings with Antreas, Fortina close beside him. He looked nervous and uncomfortable as all eyes focused on him.
“Wilkes has something he’d like to say to you,” Mari said.
Wilkes went slowly to Jaxom. He coughed and then cleared his throat before he bent to rest his hand on Fortina’s soft head.
“Jaxom, this Shepherd has Chosen you as her Companion. It is a great honor and an even greater bond, which you will share for the remainder of your lives. Do you accept her and agree to cherish and care for her for the duration of her life, and beyond should the Sun require it?”
“I do! Though I don’t know much about your Sun God.”
“I will answer any questions you have about our God,” said Nik.
“Thank you,” Jaxom said. “Thank you so much. I never knew there could be a connection like this—not with anyone or anything.”
“We understand,” said Mari, smiling through happy tears.
“Yes, we do,” said Sora.
“And so: Pack, the pup has Chosen!” Wilkes yelled joyfully.
“The pup has Chosen!” shouted every Companion in the Pack as every canine, including the smallest of Fala’s pups, raised its muzzle to the sky and howled with happiness.
“May the Sun bless your union with Fortina!” Nik was the first Companion to step forward and take Jaxom’s hand in congratulations, but he was followed by every Companion in the Pack—and then by each Earth Walker as well.
Mari looked on with pride as her Pack fully accepted Jaxom and his Shepherd.
Oh, Mama, I hope you’re seeing this …
CHAPTER 7
It took Mari longer than she’d anticipated to make her way to where Danita had settled Dove and Lily on the fringe of the circle the Pack had made around what was now a merrily blazing bonfire. As she’d suspected, her hands weren’t the only ones feeling the strain of hours paddling, so with the help of Jenna and Isabel, salve was applied and everyone was instructed to be sure their hands were wrapped the next day and cared for carefully until cracked skin and bloody blisters became protective calluses.
But mostly everyone was in good spirits, especially as the fire burned brightly and Spencer passed around mugs of mead. The susurrus of the contented Pack mixed with the scents of bubbling stew, giving the campsite the illusion of home. Rigel by her side, Mari finally approached Dove and Lily. They were positioned as part of the Pack’s circle, but they also were not. No one was chatting with them. They were sipping mead, so someone had brought that to them—probably Spencer. They were sitting on woven mats and had been given a heavy hemp blanket to share, but other than that they were being ignored.
As Mari approached them, she noticed that Lily whispered to Dove, and Mari realized the girl must serve as Dove’s eyes. Still, she stopped a respectful distance from them, not wanting to startle.
“Hello, Dove and Lily. I’d like to chat with you.”
“Moon Woman Mari, I am pleased you sought me out,” Dove said, smiling and gesturing to the ground beside her.
Sometime while she was tending to Sarah’s and Lydia’s wounds, Nik had wrapped her travel cloak around her shoulders, and Mari was glad of it as she placed it on the rough ground and sat with a sigh, curling the rest of it over her for warmth. Rigel lay beside her, mirroring her exhaustion with a puppyish groan.
“Oh, you have your canine with you!” Dove spoke animatedly, turning her sightless face in Rigel’s direction.
“He won’t hurt you—not unless you try to cause me harm. I give you my word on that.”
“Then he and I should become great friends, as I have no desire to harm anyone.” Dove paused. “Might I ask you something that could seem a rather odd request?”
Curious, Mari said, “Yes. But understand I have no problem saying no.”
Her smile was beautiful. “I would expect nothing less from the leader of these good people.”
“Sora also leads, and we make a point to listen to all of our people,” Mari said.
“I like this Pack idea.” Lily spoke shyly, but Mari saw that Dove nodded, encouraging her, so the girl continued with a little more confidence. “Women should make the rules and run things. They make life. They are more compassionate than males. It seems more natural than men running and ruining things.”
“Well, I’ve never known anything else,” Mari said. “Earth Walkers are all matriarchal.”
“But your mate? Nik?” Dove asked. “He is part of the Tribe of the Trees, correct?”
“He isn’t officially my mate—not yet,” Mari corrected. “And he was part of the Tribe of the Trees. Now he belongs to our Pack.”
Dove nodded her head, silently considering Mari’s words before she spoke. “But the Tribe of the Trees is a patriarchy, are they not?”
“From what Nik has told me, and what I’ve observed, they tend toward men holding most of the leadership roles, but more attention seems to be paid to what type of canine Chooses a Tribe member than the sex of that person. Shepherds and their Companions are leaders—be they male or female.”
“From listening I thought I could tell that there is more than one type of canine, and then Lily described them to me. Are there only the two types, large Shepherds and smaller Terriers?”
“Yes, that’s right. The Shepherds are the Warriors and the Terriers are the Hunters. Oh, and then there’s Bast, but she wasn’t part of the Tribe.”
“The Lynx! She sounds so interesting.”
“I’m sure Antreas would introduce you to his Bast, but that feline does as she wishes. If she doesn’t want to interact with you—she won’t. No matter what Antreas says.”
“Antreas sounds firmly matriarchal as well.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Mari said.
“But your Nik has no problem with joining a Pack led by women?” Dove asked.
“No, he appreciates our leadership. And, like I said, Sora and I are careful to give each of our Pack members a voice.”
“But yours is the final say.”
“Yes, it is. What was the odd request you spoke of earlier?” Mari asked. She was enjoying talking with Dove. The girl was poised and intelligent, but also childishly animated.
“Oh, yes. Might I touch you? It is how I see, and I would very much like to see you.”
“Touch me? You mean my face?”
“Yes, and your hair. Perhaps your shoulders and a little of your body so I can understand your size.”
Mari snort-laughed. “Well, sure. I don’t mind if you’d like to see me.” Dove lifted her hands, as if reaching for Mari, and Mari took them, guiding them to her face.
Dove’s touch was like a butterfly’s wings. Her hands flicked gently over Mari’s face, then to her hair, her neck, and her shoulders. Rigel watched attentively, cocking his head as if trying to understand what the new girl was doing to his Companion. When he didn’t seem stressed by Dove’s attention, Mari had an idea.
“Dove, would you like to see Rigel and one of the Terriers so you could tell the difference in them?”
“Oh! That would be wonderful!”
“Okay, let’s start wit
h Rigel. Come here, sweet boy.” Mari patted the spot to her right, which was an empty space between where she was sitting and Dove. With no hesitation, Rigel jumped over Mari’s outstretched legs and sat beside her. Mari sent a quick image to her young Shepherd of him lying down and allowing Dove to run her hands over him, and Rigel promptly lay down, gazing up at Dove with a doggy grin. “That’s perfect, Rigel!” Mari praised. “Dove, I’ll guide your hands. Don’t worry, Rigel likes to be touched.”
Mari gently guided Dove’s hands to Rigel’s head. “Shepherds have fluffy ears and a long snout with very powerful teeth. Feel his muzzle and his wet nose?”
Dove seemed to be holding her breath, but she nodded quickly. “Is it supposed to be wet, or is he upset?”
“Oh, no! He’s not upset at all. And his nose is supposed to be a little wet like it is. Here.” Mari guided Dove’s hands along Rigel’s back to his wagging tail. “Feel his tail going back and forth like that?”
“I do!”
“That means he’s happy.”
“Oh, he’s so, so soft! I had no idea. Different from a rabbit or a deer, and nothing like a bird’s feathers. Unique and soft.” Dove leaned forward and sniffed at Rigel, which had him lifting his muzzle and licking her face.
“Oh, sorry. That’s a canine kiss. It’s slobbery, but honestly given.”
“He kissed me? That is so lovely!” Dove giggled, looking very young, and very happy.
“May I touch him, too?” Lily asked.
“Of course!” Mari nodded encouragingly, and Lily leaned across her friend to stroke Rigel’s fur.
“Oh! I didn’t think that his fur would be so thick!” Lily said.
“May I touch him all over? I’d like to feel his paws and get an idea of his size. All of the canines sound so large when they bark,” Dove said.
“Sure, Rigel doesn’t mind. But you should know that he’s young and only about half grown. I’ll call his father, Laru, so you can get an idea of how large he will be when he’s full grown.” Mari paused, finding Nik over by the bonfire talking with Wilkes and Claudia, who had moved their makeshift pallets as close to the fire as possible for warmth. “Nik!” she called. He looked up, smiling, at the sound of her voice, and Mari gestured for him to join her. She saw him say something quickly to Wilkes before he made his way to her, Laru, as usual, by his side.
“Nik, do you or Laru mind if Dove touches Laru? She sees by touch, and I wanted her to feel the difference between a Shepherd pup and a mature Shepherd.”
“Oh, well, no—I don’t mind, and I’m sure Laru won’t either.”
“Thank you, Nik,” Dove said politely.
“No problem. It does make sense that you’d need to touch to see. Go ahead, Laru.” Nik gestured for Laru to lie beside Rigel, which the big Shepherd did with no hesitation whatsoever.
As she did for her with Rigel, Mari guided Dove’s hands first to Laru’s large head. From there Dove gently felt all along his body as her lips lifted. “He is so big! And strong—I can tell that from his muscles. So magnificent! And Rigel will get this big?”
“I think Rigel will even be bigger,” Nik said. “He’s bigger than I remember Laru being at his age.”
“Do you know where Davis and Cammy are?” Mari asked Nik.
“Yeah, they were helping Sheena and O’Bryan get the food ready for the canines. Thankfully, it’s almost time for all of us to eat. Want me to get them for you?”
“That would be great, thanks.” As Nik and Laru headed to the shore, Mari continued. “Davis is Cameron’s Companion. Well, mostly we call him Cammy or Cammyman. He’s a Terrier.”
“Do they like to be touched, too?” Lily asked.
“I think almost all canines like to be touched, but they each have different personalities, like people do,” Mari said. “Cammy definitely likes to be touched.” Just then a little blond whirlwind came running up. He greeted Mari first, climbing up on her lap and licking her face. “Well, hello, Cammyman! Where’s Davis?”
“Davis is still helping with the food,” Nik called across the sand to Mari. “But I told him why you needed Cammy, and you know how much Cammy likes attention.”
“I do!” Mari laughed as Cammy licked her face, huffing happily. “Okay, hang on, Dove wants to meet you. Ready to meet a Terrier, Dove?”
“Yes, I am!”
“He’s a lot smaller than Laru and even Rigel, so get ready. Here he comes.” Mari picked Cammy up and deposited him on Dove’s lap.
“Oh!” Dove squeaked, and her arms immediately went around the Terrier, holding him close. Cammy sat his butt down and lifted his muzzle, licking Dove directly on her mouth. She sputtered and then laughed as she ran her hands along his face and body, all the way to his tail. “He’s wagging!”
“Cammy is very friendly and very happy,” Mari said.
“His fur feels so different from the Shepherds’. Do all the Terriers and Shepherds feel the same?”
“Mostly,” Mari said. “But Cammy is a blond Terrier, which means his fur is lighter in color, and I think it is a little softer than the darker Terriers’, but they are very much alike. The Shepherds can have different coats, though. Claudia’s Mariah has longer fur than Laru and Rigel, and Captain, Sheena’s big Shepherd, has fur that is shorter and coarser than the fur on most of the Shepherds I’ve seen.”
“And Shepherds and Terriers live well together, even though they are so different in size?” Lily asked as she petted Cammy, who obligingly licked her hand.
“Whether they get along or not seems to be a personality thing, and not a size thing. But, yes, they mostly do seem to get along well,” Mari said.
“I like this little Cammy Terrier quite a lot,” Lily pronounced. Then she sent a nervous look to Mari and hastily added, “Though I mean no disrespect to you or any Shepherd—they’re just so big and intimidating.”
“You didn’t offend me. I understand. I’ve only been a Companion for a few months. Truthfully, I’m still getting used to their size. I was shocked by Laru’s size when I met him for the first time.”
A whistle came from the far side of the circle, causing every canine ear in the Pack to lift expectantly. Then Davis’s voice called, “Terriers! Shepherds! Time to eat!”
Cammy sprinted from Dove’s lap and Rigel looked at Mari expectantly, whining and drooling.
“Go, sweet boy!” He took off, kicking sand and dirt behind him as he barked joyously.
“They must be hungry,” Dove said.
“They think they’re always hungry,” Mari said.
“Moon Woman, your stew.” Jenna approached with a wooden bowl filled with steaming food and a big hunk of bread protruding from the middle of it.
“Thank you, Jenna,” Mari said. “Would you please show Lily where the bowls are so that she and Dove may eat?”
“Yes, of course. Lily, come with me. Everything is over by the fire and the cauldron, and when you’re done we each clean our own bowl and then repack it with the others.”
Lily nodded shyly and followed Jenna. Sora joined Mari. She put her travel cloak on the ground beside her and then sat with a groan of relief. “It feels good to just sit on ground that doesn’t move. My shoulders are really tired from that paddling.”
“Hello, Moon Woman Sora,” Dove said.
“Hello, Dove. Are you and Lily settling in?” Sora asked.
“Yes, Mari was letting me feel the canines. I believe I like them very much,” said Dove as Lily returned with bowls of steaming stew and bread for them both.
“Feel the canines?” Sora spoke around a mouthful of stew.
Before Mari could explain Dove replied. “Yes, as I have no eyes the way I see is through touch.”
“Huh. Makes sense,” Sora said. Chloe poked her head up from the sleeping ball she’d formed deep in the pouch Sora had rigged to strap to her chest and keep her very young Companion close to her. The pup sniffed the air and then yapped insistently. Sora kissed her indulgently on the nose before dunking a small piece
of bread in the fragrant stew and letting the pup lick at it.
“Is that your Companion I hear, Sora?” Dove asked.
“Yes. She isn’t weaned yet, but she likes trying to eat on her own. Mostly whatever I’m eating.” Sora looked at Dove contemplatively. “I would let you see her with your touch after you’re finished eating if you would like.”
“I would very much. Thank you.” Dove paused before continuing. “You are showing great trust in me, and I am honored by that.”
“You gave your word that you would be truthful with us,” Sora said in a matter-of–fact manner. “When we accepted that word we chose to trust you.”
“And we will trust you unless you give us reason not to,” Mari said.
“W-what happens if you become angry at us?” Lily asked softly.
“Angry?” Mari said. “You mean because you’re lying?”
“No!” Lily said quickly. “My mistress and I would not lie, not after she gave you her word.”
“In the Pack Mari and I settle disputes. If you have problems with someone or something, you should come to us,” said Sora.
“You called Dove your mistress,” Mari said as Nik joined their little group, sharing Mari’s cloak. “What do you mean by that?”
“I am sorry. I did not mean to—”
Dove raised her slender hand to silence Lily. “Purposefully being quiet about details of our lives before we joined these good people is the same as a lie, Lily. I will not do that.” Dove turned her face toward Mari. “Lily calls me mistress because she served me as my Attendant in the Temple of the Reaper God. I was the God’s oracle.”
“Which god is the Reaper? That creature with the antlers you call Death?” Nik asked.
“No and yes. Before the God of Death manifested within our Champion, Dead Eye, our god was silent.” Dove’s sightless face turned toward Lily. “Forgive me for what I must say now, but I am sworn to truthfulness, and even were I not it is past time that I was honest with you.”
Lily blinked several times, looking shocked. “Forgive you? I do not understand.”